As the NBA Board of Governors consider whether to force Donald Sterling out of ownership of the Los Angeles Clippers, a number of potential owners have come forward to express an interest in the franchise.
Some are serious players who want a part of the $575 million franchise, while others just want to play around.
One of the most serious interested parties is boxing star Floyd Mayweather. Mayweather spoke to reporters only a few hours after David Silver announced Donald Sterling’s lifetime ban from the NBA, ESPN reports.
“I called Al today about that to see if me, Leonard and Al, and hopefully Richard and a couple of other guys, a couple other of my billionaire guys, we can come together and see what we can come up with,” Mayweather said. “Hopefully, we can do it, and it’s not just talk.”
Magic Johnson has been named as a very likely buyer, especially since he is personally involved in the case. Johnson, along with Mark Walter and their Guggenheim Partners group, already purchased the LA Dodgers, so the Clippers could be a step closer to a California sports monopoly.
Oscar De La Hoya is another boxer that has expressed serious interest. Media mogul and billionaire David Geffen has said he might want the team. He joins Seattle-based hedge fund manager Chris Hansen and biotech billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong.
Random celebrities also threw their hats in via Twitter. “Malcolm in the Middle” child star Frankie Muniz said he wants the team, along with Rick Ross, Mindy Kaling and P. Diddy.
I can now announce my partners in buying the Clippers. Rick Caruso, Darryl Issa, Don Rickles, Beyoncé, Henry Winkler and Adam Levine.
— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) April 29, 2014
I will always be a Knicks fan, but I am a business man. #DiddyBuyTheClippers #NameYourPrice
— Diddy (@iamdiddy) April 29, 2014
I’d be interested investing in @LAclippers !!!! Make It #WingstopArena @WingstopCEO Lets Goooo !!!
— Mastermind (@rickyrozay) April 29, 2014
I am now declaring my intent to buy the Clippers. The uniforms will be the same but bedazzled. @blakegriffin32
— Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) April 29, 2014